Transcript Highlights:

• Where does their budget come through?
• Increasing it, so they're their own separate budget that you'll see through the budget development process
• We do monitor placement stability to make sure that kids aren't being bounced from foster home to foster
• Yeah, I was going to say, Madam Chair, Representative, the CASA budget is actually in the court's budget
• We are in the AOC budget, where it's not just for those infants or children.

Transcript Highlights:

• And here's what's remarkable: this fix comes at no cost to the state budget.
• And here's what's remarkable: this fix comes at no cost to the state budget.
• These bills create the accountability needed to align reimbursement with the true cost of care, stabilize
• These bills create the accountability needed to align reimbursement with the true cost of care, stabilize

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on several health care bills focused primarily on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by outlining hearing procedures, testimony rules, and filing deadlines, and noted the hearing would be recorded and written testimony accepted. They said the day’s topics included affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable populations, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would add board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) as a recognized mid-level supervisory role in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field, actuaries, clinicians, and autism service providers testified that the current two-tier model limits workforce capacity, contributes to long delays, and leaves families waiting months for care. Supporters said the bill could expand access, improve retention, and potentially reduce MassHealth costs, while also helping providers meet growing demand and new administrative requirements. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow Massachusetts residents under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Legislators, dialysis advocates, and patients described high out-of-pocket costs under Medicare, barriers to kidney transplant eligibility without secondary insurance, and the financial strain on patients and families. Testifiers said the change would affect about 846 residents, could modestly increase premiums, and might reduce Medicaid spending by preventing asset spend-downs. Senator Gomez and others spoke from personal experience with dialysis and transplant care. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular data-driven review of MassHealth ABA reimbursement rates. Providers and association representatives argued that reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation, workforce shortages, accreditation costs, and new 2026 MassHealth policy requirements, and said the bills would improve transparency and ensure rates reflect the true cost of care. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs thanking participants, inviting additional written testimony, and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We should also be on the same footing with them in terms of compensation stability.
• So the fight continues for funding and stability to make all of those things better.
• I think it's a fundamental mistake to have a state agency budget state funds and other public funds and
• I think it's a fundamental mistake to have a state agency budget state funds and other public funds and

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the agenda. Public comment was dominated by district defenders and other public defense leaders praising State Public Defender Remy Starns for improving communication, collaboration, and overall system performance. Speakers from multiple districts said the system is more unified, better supported, and more stable than in prior years, and several credited Starns with helping resolve long-standing tensions and improve coordination across capital, district, and appellate work. One speaker also paid tribute to the late Mike Ginnard, describing him as instrumental to earlier public defense reforms. In his report, Starns said the system has improved over the last seven years but still needs a sustainable funding source. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, elimination of filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee requests in light of recent court rulings. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and appellate work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and continue post-conviction work under new statutory rules. Starns emphasized recruitment and retention, including the need for affordable health insurance and retirement benefits, and again honored Mike Ginnard for his leadership and service. The board then adopted proposed bylaws, after some discussion about special committees and public meeting requirements. Members agreed to create a committee to review and refine the bylaws later, and they also elected a vice chairman and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff support, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely an update to the prior version with terminology changes, new accessibility-related goals, and added performance measures for training, compliance, and communications. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Laura Isordoria, Mathias Tejillo del Doyos; Home Care Commission, Jennifer Butler; Oregon Housing Stability
• Housing Stability Council, Carly Colgan, Edward McNamara, Haffier Mena, Brook Stanfield, Stand Diver;
• on Idaho's federal delegation to lead the Congress of the United States in balancing the federal budget
• on Idaho's federal delegation to lead the Congress of the United States in balancing the federal budget

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Representative, no, actually, the data from Milliman, in extensive studies, shows that if you stabilize
• Studies show that if you stabilize behavioral health conditions, chronic disease exacerbations, which
• Are you wanting to make sure that CYFD puts it in their budget on a regular basis?
• Certainly, yes, we would love to put a strategy such as this in the budget, because CYFD has been asked

Transcript Highlights:

• It's fair to say that most levers that can help stabilize the agriculture economy are on the federal
• It's fair to say that most levers that can help stabilize the agriculture economy are on the federal
• <00:15:22.160> the levers that can help stabilize the levers that can help stabilize the agriculture
• We've onboarded several new budget.
• supporting farm income stability. supporting farm income stability. passing<01:08:35.120> agricultural

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through the capital budget in 2025. through the capital budget in 2025.
• <00:38:19.760> shortly but when we passed our budget shortly but when we passed our budget
• <00:38:45.280> for right now with what we've budgeted for right now with what we've budgeted
• Karen Heert, division director for economic stability for DHS.
• <00:56:57.119> all houses to help stabilize prices. all houses to help stabilize prices. all

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• don't have the engineering, the budget don't have the engineering, the budget for<00:09:58.880><
• Launched in the fall economic stability.
• > file budget bill Senate file budget bill Senate file 2082.<01:31:31.760> Section<01:31
• article two of the governor's budget article two of the governor's budget bill<01:31:49.360>
• Section 44 is from the governor's budget Section 44 is from the governor's budget bill.<01:38:12.719

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, Phil Nerie. required detailed budget summary and required detailed budget summary and clarifies
• my condo association, and I was simply requesting that we start our budget process, having a budget
• So I was excluded from the budget committee. The budget was not done in time, and we pushed it out.
• budget process, having a a budget budget process, having a a budget committee<00:39:16.000> and
• many things for the budget requirements. many things for the budget requirements.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, there's so much to be proud of in this budget, and I'm so, and I'm happy to answer any questions
• Stabilizing funding for women's health programs and providing additional support for maternal health
• Members, I appreciate the opportunity to present the subcommittee's budget recommendations on Article
• Chairman, for allowing our subcommittee to make budget recommendations for these important agencies,
• Uh, members, at this time, I'll provide the legislative budget board staff with some directives so they

Transcript Highlights:

• Since that time, we have seen ridership begin to stabilize and gradually recover.
• So people rely on that stability. If I can continue? Continue.
• I did email Brady Larson up at fiscal staff who does the transportation budget earlier.
• It's like 2% of my budget is funded by that formula.
• We kind of knew we weren't going to get that, but we looked at our budgets, and we looked at what we

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee met to review fixed-route transit systems and related funding needs. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the committee heard presentations from Cities Area Transit in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, Bisman Transit in Bismarck-Mandan, and MATBUS/Fargo, along with comments from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy. The transit agencies described their routes, paratransit services, ridership trends, fare structures, fleet replacement needs, and rising operating costs, emphasizing that transit supports access to work, school, medical care, and other essential services. Testimony also noted that ridership fell during the pandemic and has been recovering, while vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Grand Forks transit reported 17 routes, a recent fare increase, and operating costs that exceed fare revenue, with paratransit service extending beyond the federal minimum service area. Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions, local mill levies, sales tax support, and federal grant structure, and said it is seeking more stable funding and flexibility beyond paratransit-only support. Minot’s transit superintendent explained the state’s existing transit aid formula, the use of refurbished buses, and the challenges of driver recruitment and electric bus infrastructure. Fargo asked for additional state support for fixed-route urban transit. Committee members discussed whether ride-share services could replace transit, the cost per trip, local match requirements, and whether a separate state funding source should be recommended for the four urban fixed-route systems. The subcommittee ultimately approved a motion to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of its activities for inclusion in the full Government Finance Committee report, and members indicated they would seek more detailed funding figures from the transit agencies before making any specific recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you already said marketing the HTA budget, though. Is it double dipping in this sense?
• They already have a budget, and we fund them.
• They already have a budget, and we fund them.
• DBEDT, they already have a budget, and we fund them.
• <01:00:35.440> and Department of budget and Department of budget and finance<01:00:37.280>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures on the 1 p.m. agenda. SB 817, relating to out-of-state offices, drew support from DBEDT and several community groups, with questions focused on the requested funding, staffing level, whether the office would expand broadly, and whether the Philippines was being singled out. SB 1578, relating to international affairs, received support from DBEDT and the Attorney General, with the chair noting the bill was intended to help DBEDT analyze Hawaii’s international partnerships and plan next steps. SB 1639, establishing Hawaii Beach Day, had limited testimony and was moved along without substantive debate. SB 582, relating to DBEDT, was also heard with support from state agencies and a few individuals, and was described as a vehicle for organizational and funding changes affecting the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, including moving some positions and programming to general funds and narrowing the works-of-art special fund's uses. The committees then took up recommendations. All three measures were advanced with amendments: SB 817 was amended to include technical changes and a defective effective date of July 1, 2025; SB 1578 was amended to address the Attorney General’s concerns, make the commission subject to Senate confirmation, and add technical changes and a defective date; and SB 582 was amended to incorporate provisions from SB 1577, clarify SFCA authority over performing arts, shift SFCA positions and programming to general funds, restrict the works-of-art special fund, and add a defective date. Each committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations, with no reservations or no votes noted in the Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee and only Senator Dela Cruz voting no on SB 817 there; in the Economic Development and Tourism committee, SB 817 passed with Senator Kim in reservation and Senator Awa voting no, while SB 1578 and SB 582 passed with Senator Awa voting no. The later 10:00 a.m. agenda hearing focused on SB 1589, relating to the stadium development special fund, and SB 1629, relating to taxation. On SB 1589, the Attorney General asked for clarification of section 3, particularly the proviso about remaining monies lapsing to the general fund if the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is terminated before completion; the interim stadium manager explained the bill would allow spending of $49.5 million already in the special fund for consultant, construction management, quality assurance, and contingency costs. On SB 1629, testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including film industry and business representatives, said the measure would support local film production, restore prior GET treatment, and help attract studio development; opponents argued the bill was vague, overly favorable to a specific project, and lacked oversight and accountability. The hearing ended with extensive questioning about whether the bill was effectively tailored to a particular studio project and how it related to other film tax credit measures, but no final committee action on SB 1589 or SB 1629 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:33.120> of another indication of the stability of another indication of the stability
• The reinsurance that the insurance companies obtain to help cover with the claims is stabilizing, but
• So, again, that's another good indication of the stability of the market.
• So, again, that's another good indication of the stability of the market.
• So, again, that's another good indication of the stability of the market.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:15 Department of Insurance Update 00:01:39 Department of Financial Institutions Update 00:37:07 Insurance Industry Update 00:54:50 Credit Union Industry Update 01:10:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 16 minutes, and then received an update from Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark and staff on the Department of Insurance. Clark reviewed department activity, including growth in premium volume and licensing, consumer complaints and recoveries, and a rise in fraud referrals. She said the department has 66 open fraud cases and described common schemes such as staged auto accidents, inflated repair or cleanup charges, and roofing scams. She also said the department’s investigators often prepare strong cases but face reluctance from local prosecutors, especially in Fayette and Jefferson counties, to pursue them. Clark reported favorable workers’ compensation news, saying rates will decrease 9.7% next year for the 20th straight year. She contrasted that with a difficult property insurance market driven by storms, reinsurance costs, inflation, labor shortages, and litigation, but said Kentucky’s market remains relatively stable, citing the Kentucky Fair Plan’s small number of policies. She then warned of significant 2026 health insurance premium increases on the exchange: 16.1% for Molina, 23% for Anthem, and 37% for WCare, after CareSource withdrew. She said the rates were reviewed by actuaries and found fair, but that the biggest pressure point is the scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which she said could leave about 90% of exchange enrollees facing a compounded increase. Members questioned Clark about fraud prosecution, the number of people in commercial versus public coverage, and the impact of expiring subsidies. Clark said the prosecution issue is mainly with Commonwealth attorneys and that rural counties are more cooperative than urban ones. She also said the health market is individually rated and that older enrollees would be hit harder, while the loss of tax credits could push some people out of the marketplace. One member asked about the attorney general’s recent opinion on SB 188, the PBM bill; staff said attorneys were still reviewing it. Clark closed by noting that Kentucky’s fraud and towing/storage legislation has become a model for other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators are preparing the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
• <00:21:15.240> for senators are preparing the budget for senators are preparing the budget
• says the state will end its next budget cycle with a surplus.
• c> services portions of their budgets to services portions of their budgets to services including
• know our job is to balance the budget know our job is to balance the budget and<00:24:39.960>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program opened with interviews on the start of Minnesota’s 94th Senate session, where the chamber is evenly split 33-33 after the death of DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic and a special election to fill the vacancy. DFL Majority Leader Aaron Murphy and Republican Leader Mark Johnson both said the tied Senate and narrow margins in both chambers will require more cooperation and compromise. Murphy emphasized affordability issues such as health care, child care, housing, college costs, and medical debt, while Johnson said Republicans want to refocus on Minnesota’s needs, limit tax increases and mandates, and use the split chamber to gain more influence in negotiations. Both leaders said they expect bipartisan work on issues like mental health, EMS, public school funding, permitting reform, and mandate reform. Former Senator Ann Johnson Stewart was also sworn in after winning the special election for District 45 and said she hopes to work on infrastructure, transportation, bonding, and jobs. The Senate Finance Committee then held a hearing on the social impact of legalizing online sports betting. Testimony from researchers and gambling addiction experts warned that online sports betting can contribute to addiction, family harm, and financial distress, with one witness describing it as a public health disaster and citing higher bankruptcy filings in states that legalize it. Committee discussion also reflected the competing view that many Minnesotans want the option to bet legally, while lawmakers have a responsibility to protect residents from harm. The final segment focused on Minnesota’s budget and economic forecast. Officials said the state is expected to end the 2026-2027 biennium with a surplus, but spending growth is projected to outpace revenues in the following years, creating a structural deficit of nearly $6 billion in fiscal years 2028-2029. Legislators said the forecast underscores the need to address spending, inflation, and long-term obligations such as special education and disability services, and some Republicans called for attention to waste, fraud, and abuse. The report noted that an updated forecast will be released in February, which could further shape budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• association stability and make association stability and make association governance<00:21:38.480
• Volunteer board members do not have in-house legal departments, nor unlimited budgets.
• Volunteer board members do not have in-house legal departments, nor unlimited budgets.
• Volunteer board members do not have in-house legal departments, nor unlimited budgets.
• <00:26:16.480> in because we um we need stability in because we um we need stability in pricing

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 1750, an HOA/common interest community reform bill, and first adopted the DE9 amendment after the chair moved it to put the bill in the form the author wanted. The bill was described by supporters as a consumer and homeowner protection measure intended to add transparency, dispute-resolution rights, conflict-of-interest rules, and limits on fees and late charges in Minnesota HOAs, which supporters said have grown rapidly and are not adequately covered by current law. Supporters, including legal aid, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, said the bill responds to longstanding complaints about HOA abuse, lack of transparency, escalating attorney fees, foreclosure-related problems, and management-company conflicts of interest. They argued the revised bill reflects extensive stakeholder work and would help homeowners resolve disputes without costly escalation while improving fairness and accountability. Opponents, including attorneys and representatives of HOA management interests, argued the bill is too rigid and one-size-fits-all, would raise costs for all homeowners, and could make associations harder to govern. They said fee caps, contract restrictions, procurement mandates, and dispute procedures would increase assessments, reduce flexibility, discourage board service, and create more legal and administrative burden, especially for smaller or financially strained communities. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet right now, we've extended all of our dollars from the 2018 bond, and the current budget proposal
• because Cal Home now is completely out of money, with no guarantee that it could be restored in the budget
• because Cal Home now is completely out of money, with no guarantee that it could be restored in the budget
• So resident ownership of parks creates stability and affordability, and, as has been said, those sales
• “Yeah, I mean, first of all, we are—we actually have a budget request for funding for that program, for

Summary: The committee heard AB 736, a proposed $10 billion Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, with Assembly Member Buffy Wicks and numerous housing, local government, labor, and advocacy groups testifying in strong support. Supporters said the bond would fund multifamily housing, permanent supportive housing, homeownership, preservation, farmworker, tribal, and other programs, and argued that the state needs new capital because prior bond funds are exhausted and many shovel-ready projects are waiting. Habitat for Humanity California opposed the bill unless it was amended to dedicate 10% of bond proceeds to Cal Home for affordable homeownership, and several senators said they supported the bond but wanted Cal Home strengthened. The committee voted do pass to Senate Appropriations, with the measure placed on call for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1361 by Senator Durazo, which would limit local governments from using SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements as a reason to stall or condition planned transit projects. Los Angeles Metro, the Building Trades, and several cities and advocacy groups supported the bill, saying it would protect transit investments, jobs, and federal funding from opposition tied to future density around transit stops. Several groups that had initially opposed or been concerned about the bill, including West Hollywood, Streets for All, Greenbelt Alliance, California YIMBY, and the Bay Area Council, withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. The committee approved the bill as amended to Senate Local Government, with the measure also placed on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1003, creating an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infrastructure needed for infill housing, and SB 1014, which would require local agencies to provide early, good-faith estimates and itemized lists of required on-site and off-site improvements for housing projects. Both bills were supported by housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and industry groups, who said the measures would reduce uncertainty, late fees, and project delays. The committee advanced both bills as amended to Senate Appropriations, placing them on call. The committee also took up SB 908, which streamlines energy-code-compliant window replacement and limits aesthetic review, especially for residential replacements; it passed as amended to Appropriations after support from affordable housing and green building groups and no opposition. Later, Senator Allen presented SB 1092 and SB 1093 on mobile home park preservation and post-disaster protections. SB 1092 would give residents notice and an opportunity to make a competing bid when a park owner intends to sell, with supporters arguing it would help preserve unsubsidized affordable housing and protect displaced residents, while park owner representatives argued it would devalue properties, create litigation risk, and interfere with market transactions. SB 1093 would require more communication, access, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after disasters, and would restore certain resident reimbursement rights; supporters cited the Palisades fire and survey data showing residents lacked information and access, while opponents said the bill imposed onerous timelines, liability issues, and penalties and could force owners into rebuilding or compensation assumptions they disputed. Both bills were discussed at length, but the transcript ends before final recorded votes on them.

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't because of budgets.
• It is not a cost reflected in our budget as other things are that we cannot pay for.
• This is to the ultra-wealthy and less about taking care of each other and our state budget.
• House File 4 is the Commerce Budget Bill. This bill, as you have...
• The operating cap is not just a budget tool or a line item on a spreadsheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:18:33.440> Committee The members of Joint Budget Committee The members of Joint Budget
• It'll also mean workplace safety and stability.
• . stability. stability.
• in their families that depend stability in their families that depend on. on. on.
• Uh, the Joint Budget Committee might be meeting one more time today. Or not. I'm not sure.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your budget.
• We finished the budget over 24 hours ago.
• The budget is going to determine a lot of things about affordability.
• They didn't make it in the budget. There was no funding for veterans' homelessness in the budget.
• The Classroom Site Fund this year, in this budget, is $1.2 billion.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• get when I just take the school budget get when I just take the school budget and<01:00:42.400><
• This issue came up in our budget process.
• Um, we were as a in our budget process.
• <01:43:07.119> Um<01:43:08.560> and up in the in the budget process.
• Um and up in the in the budget process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all